The mountains name refers to features with prominent iron ore formations. There are about thirty such places in our State. Iron (Fe), the 26th element was initially mined in California near the gold fields during the Rush of 49'. But it didn't become a significant industry for another century, due to its ease of availability as an import and in finished forms. Currently our local production only amounts to three percent of the national total. Most of the state's major deposits are in the desert portions of Riverside and San Bernardino County. Iron is a widely recognized symbol of power, durability, and inflexibility. While not viewed as less valuable in all respects and by all cultures, it was, for example, forbidden in Solomon's Great Temple, "built of stones hewed and made ready: so that there was neither hammer or axe nor any tool of iron heard in the house when it was in building". This was because it was believed that iron drives out numinous powers. For similar reasons iron has been almost universally avoided for use with sacrificial offerings. Meteoric iron on the other hand has often been revered as embued with the divine. In Alchemy, iron corresponds to Mars and is considered masculine, hot and dry. It has been believed to cause lightning, storms, wildness, and mercilessness.
Some where up high in the middle of the Angeles National Forest, along a route no longer traveled by motor vehicles, is a bump of Iron. Once you are within a 1/4 mile of the summit, as the crow flies, the soil in the area will become distinctively different from what you saw as you hiked up here.
There are only a few ways to approach this bump of metal. No matter what approach you pick, be sure to carry plenty of water. You will be glad you did.
Do not hike for this cache if you simply want another find. The hike and cache are not for the average cacher. It will be found only by the hardiest of cachers, those of which are far and few between. After all, look and see how many have found GC12XE9 since it was born!
You will be in an area that is home to many critters and animals. Animals that would enjoy your carcass for dinner. So before you set out on your adventure, be sure to let someone know your planned route and time of arriving back. If something happens to you, it is not likely anyone will just happen to be passing by to give you any assistance.
The area is remote as remote can be.
Before reaching under or into anything in the forest, be sure to clear it well with a long stick or pole. One bite from a snake here and your caching days may be numbered.
Hike Smart & Hike Safe
Mountain Lovers
